In a major development ahead of the second Test against South Africa, Team India captain Shubman Gill has been ruled out due to a lingering neck injury, paving the way for wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant to lead the side at Guwahati’s Barsapara Stadium starting Saturday, November 22. Gill had suffered a neck spasm during the Kolkata Test last week and, despite travelling to Guwahati and joining practice sessions, could not recover in time for the critical match.
Pant will be India’s 38th Test captain and notably the first wicketkeeper-batter to lead the team since MS Dhoni. Pant addressed the media on the eve of the match, stating, “He’s doing fine, getting better. Gill was very keen to play this Test. I only learned yesterday that I will be leading in this match. I’ve been chatting with Gill every day.”
Gill’s absence is a significant setback for India, as the young captain was pivotal to their plans. This is not Gill’s first such injury; he previously missed the Bengaluru Test against New Zealand in 2024 under similar circumstances. The BCCI confirmed that Gill will travel to Mumbai for further assessment, putting his participation in the upcoming ODI and T20 matches against South Africa in doubt.
India’s management now faces a selection dilemma, with Sai Sudharsan, Devdutt Padikkal, and Nitish Kumar Reddy in contention to fill Gill’s spot. With the series on the line, India seeks to bounce back after their Kolkata defeat and level the series in Guwahati.
As cricket fans anticipate Pant’s captaincy and the team’s response to adversity, this Guwahati Test is set to be a landmark encounter in Indian cricket’s storied journey.
